Latest news
Partner leaves law firm to lead own software company
A partner who set up both a commercial law firm and a HR software company has sold his stake in the legal practice to take charge of the software business.
SRA slices £6m off budget while missing performance targets
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s budget is to fall 7% – or £6m – in the next year, against the background of failing to meet two of its three performance targets.
SRA reveals cost of Leigh Day case and ministers’ intense interest
The Solicitors Regulation Authority revealed today that its investigation into Leigh Day cost £3.1m and also published correspondence that showed the close interest ministers took in the case.
Solicitor who owed barristers £146,000 in fees is struck off
A solicitor who admitted that he owed barristers over £146,000 in fees, and even took money from the estate of his dead mother, has been struck off.
ABSs forge ahead as number of conveyancing firms shrinks
Alternative business structures operating in conveyancing are significantly more positive about their future than traditional practices as the number of firms in the field continues to fall.
Law firms “will stop using email within five years”
Email will be replaced within five years by a more secure means of communication for law firms, an expert predicted this week. Meanwhile, the SRA is using behavioural science in its messaging.
Innovate UK backs bid to create “thinking” legal AI
Contract review business ThoughtRiver has been awarded funding from the government for a £400,000 development project to develop “thinking AI”.
Solicitor’s conviction for neglecting mother quashed
The Court of Appeal has quashed a jail sentence of two and a half years imposed on a solicitor, who specialised in care for the elderly, for neglecting her mother.
Multiplicity of legal regulators “not helping AML fight”
The “multiplicity” of legal and accountancy regulators in the UK is not helping the fight against money laundering, the Financial Action Task Force has complained.
Entrepreneur launches campaign to help litigants in person
An entrepreneur who successfully lobbied for changes in how the Foreign Office handles missing people has launched a new campaign to support litigants in person.
Blog
Why is Andrew Malkinson still paying for a crime he didn’t commit?
Like many in my profession and beyond, I have been moved by the case of Andrew Malkinson, the man who spent 17 years in prison for an awful crime he did not commit.
What is tech bloat and why is it a problem for law firms?
Too many law firms are adopting shiny new tech without first retiring their legacy systems, causing duplication and unnecessary costs.
The civil courts and the digital divide
Despite the government’s decision to increase Ministry of Justice funding, its budget for 2025-26 is still 14% lower in real terms than in 2007-08.
